A longitudinal study of French adults published in Neurology shows that a high body mass index (BMI) is linked to poorer in cognitive function in healthy middle-aged adults.
Participants aged 32 to 65 performed four cognitive tests in 1996 and then again 2001. Results of the study showed participants with a BMI of 30 performed poorly compared with participants with a BMI of 20. A high BMI in 1996 was also tied to a decline in scores by 2001.
While the reason for this correlation is not yet known, scientists believe it may have to do with the hardening of cerebral vessels caused by obesity.
ABSTRACT: Relation between body mass index and cognitive function in healthy middle-aged men and women
On the Web: CDC's BMI Page